Low-glycemic may be better than low-fat diet

Article by Alison McCook, NEW YORK (Reuters Health)

'Foods with a low-glycemic index, which are digested relatively slowly and cause smaller increases in blood sugar, may protect the heart and blood vessels better than low-fat fare, according to the findings of a small study. Researchers in Boston found that when obese people consumed as many carbohydrates with a low-glycemic index as they wanted, they lost just as much weight in 12 months as people who stuck with a conventional, calorie-restricted low-fat diet.

"Reducing (glycemic index) may be more effective than cutting back on fat over the long-term, both for weight loss and also for reducing risk of heart disease," study author Dr. David S. Ludwig told Reuters Health.'

Well, well, look at the circle we've made with diets. Low carb, low prot, low fat, now it's low glycemic. This study does, however, support the view that a low-fat diet (<30% of caloric intake) is just as unnatural as the high-glycemic/refined-sugar diet of the late 20th century. We all know that some amount of fat does wonders to taste and mood - it's just how we are wired and listening to our bodies isn't necessarily harmful. So this is one study that relieves some of the paranoid eating habits that have been drummed into us the past 10 yrs. - YY